Trump proposes steep cut to NASA budget as astronauts head for the Moon
The $5.6B cut targets science programs by nearly half, just days after a crewed lunar launch.
The Trump administration has released a budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2027 that calls for a steep 23% reduction in NASA's funding, a $5.6 billion cut that would bring the agency's budget down to $18.8 billion. The proposal, unveiled just two days after the launch of the Artemis II crewed lunar mission, seeks to 'focus on the administration’s priority' of landing humans on the Moon and establishing a base camp. To fund this, it directs $8.5 billion to the Artemis program for commercial landers, habitats, and rovers, while proposing severe cuts elsewhere.
The most dramatic reductions target NASA's science portfolio, which would be cut by nearly half—a $3.4 billion decrease—potentially canceling over 40 missions deemed 'low-priority.' The White House also advocates for developing commercial replacements for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to enable 'more ambitious lunar missions.' This proposal mirrors a similar cut rejected by a bipartisan Congress last year, setting the stage for another contentious budget battle. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman must now defend the plan, which groups like The Planetary Society have labeled 'draconian' and a threat to U.S. leadership in space science.
- Proposes a 23% ($5.6B) cut to NASA's FY2027 budget, reducing it to $18.8B.
- Prioritizes Artemis Moon program with $8.5B while slashing science funding by nearly half ($3.4B).
- Advocates for commercial rockets to replace SLS/Orion and targets over 40 science missions for cancellation.
Why It Matters
This budget clash will define whether U.S. space policy focuses narrowly on a Moon base or maintains broader scientific leadership.